Ask the Readers: Reliable gift card exchange sites?

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by Crystal on January 12, 2011

I’m wondering if your readers have any good info on reliable gift card exchange sites. An online search results in an overwhelming number of options, and as it seems like this would be an area with a lot of potential for fraud, I thought I’d check to see what you all might know about it! -Erin

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{ 34 comments }

Jason January 12, 2011 at 6:37 pm

Plasticjungle.com seems to be a great place to both buy and sell gift cards. I have seen a ton of useful ones on there and they verify that the cards are legitimate before selling them to you. Hope this helps!

Lindsay January 12, 2011 at 6:44 pm

Yes…I agree! I have used plastic jungle several times and they are awesome!

Margaret January 12, 2011 at 6:58 pm

I bought a Macy’s card from Gift Card Rescue and it was exactly what I ordered – and it came quickly!

Jen@FrugalFreebiesandDeals January 12, 2011 at 7:06 pm

I have used giftcard rescue and was very pleased

Amanda January 12, 2011 at 7:29 pm

I just buy and sell the on ebay. I’ve never had a problem! :) Good luck.

Julie January 12, 2011 at 7:48 pm

I had a good experience trading at plasticjungle.com

Sarah January 12, 2011 at 7:58 pm

We received a gift card for Christmas that we will NEVER use… My hubby emailed the company and politely explained the situation- how he appreciated it, but that with kids, it was a very impractical gift for us- and asked what they recommended. He got an email back with instructions for how to be reimbursed. I thought that was pretty nice of them. We also had an AMC recently close and had $38 left on a gift card from last Christmas. The nearest one is 3 hr. away, so they used the number and sent a check for the balance, and zeroed out the card. It’s always worth an email. I’d rather have the full amount in my pocket than whatever I can get minus commission on some website.

Ginger January 12, 2011 at 7:59 pm

I’ve used Plastic Jungle a couple of times now with no problems.

Shelly @ Coupon Teacher January 12, 2011 at 8:25 pm

I bought and sold once on Plastic Jungle. No problems either time.

Carmen January 12, 2011 at 8:38 pm

I’ve only done this once, but I used CardPool (http://cardpool.com/?fp=7c1019 – affiliate link). You can sell for cash, Facebook credits, or Amazon credit. I did the latter because it was a little more than getting cash value. I had a $25 g/c that they bought from me for $18.90. Not bad for something I knew I’d never use. It was simple to use, I printed off a prepaid mailing label, sent in my gift card and once they received it I received my electronic Amazon gift card code. Quick and painless. (They also sell discounted g/c, but I haven’t tried that yet).

Courtney January 12, 2011 at 8:53 pm

I have both bought from and sold to Plastic Jungle and highly recommend them.

Gina January 12, 2011 at 9:18 pm

I had a card for over a year that I knew I’d never use, and I didn’t know anyone who would like it as a re-gift, so I sold it to GiftCardRescue for Amazon credit.

Susan January 12, 2011 at 9:25 pm

The best gift card exchange I’ve found is my kids. :) Sometimes I trade them a card for cash or cash for a card. Works well for us. Seriously though, I’ll have to check out some of these sites. Great idea!

Jessica January 13, 2011 at 6:09 am

@Susan, That’s awesome! When my sisters and I were teenagers, I remember my grandmother always giving us JC Penny gift cards. We’d all roll our eyes and fork them over to my mom in exchange for cash. She said she could always use new towels1 :)

Karen January 13, 2011 at 12:07 am

I started purchasing discount gift cards more than a year ago to stretch our budget a little more. I’ve used ABC gift cards, Plastic Jungle, Gift Card Rescue, Card Pool, and Monster Gift Card. I’ve had good experiences with all of them, although ABC gift cards requires a $50 purchase for free shipping. I try to keep a gift card on hand for stores that I frequent anyway, and oftentimes I’ll seek out a discount gift card when anticipating a purchase from a particular store. For example, last summer we bought our lawnmower with Home Depot gift cards from Plastic Jungle at 7% off. That may not seem like a lot, but it saved us about $120!

Kari January 13, 2011 at 5:21 am

I’ve used giftcardrescue.com. I’ve only done it once, but had no problems. I have a couple more I’m getting ready to send in. My husband has been carrying around a couple gift cards for over a year. I’d rather have the cash now than a gift card we only might use…someday, even if it means taking a little hit on the value.

I’m thinking of buying a gift card from the site the next time I’m doing some major shopping. It’s like getting an extra 10% off.

Mary Kay January 13, 2011 at 7:25 am

I have never sold a gift card but I have purchased many gift cards from Plastic Jungle over the past year. The only time I had a problem they resolved it quickly. I would reccomend them.

I have purchsed a few gift cards from Gift Card Rescue and so far those transactions have been satisfactory as well.

Kendra January 13, 2011 at 9:20 am

I’ve sold cards at Plastic Jungle and have been quite pleased.With whatever site your readers use, I would recommend using insurance and delivery receipt. Although it adds to the cost, it will protect them in the long run, should something go awry.

Ben @ GiftCardRescue January 13, 2011 at 9:56 am

Glad to see that so many of the readers here have used Gift Card Rescue and had a great experience. We try and deliver the best service possible at all times.

If anyone has any questions about exchanging gift cards, our business, or how the process works I’d love to answer your questions. I can be reached at ben[at]giftcardrescue.com or you can always give us a call at 877-800-4413.

Glenda January 13, 2011 at 1:02 pm

I buy gift cards from Plastic Jungle for my every day purchases. Combined with coupons and deals, I am saving even more since I bought the gift cards at a percentage off. We have purchased cards from Lowe’s, Macy’s, and several restaurants.

Kandice January 13, 2011 at 2:10 pm

All the sites listed are for selling or buying giftcards. Are there any out there that do trades and thus get you a better deal? Something like craigslist or ebay maybe, where you do the interaction directly with the seller. I would like to get online and say, “Hey, I have a $30 giftcard to Bath & Body Works that I’m never gonna use.” (which I do by the way). “And would love to trade it for a giftcard of equal value to someplace I shop (like wal-mart, target, kmart, etc.).” If there’s not, I might just start one.

Stacy January 13, 2011 at 3:01 pm

@Kandice,

Our local Charlotte Mommies Buy/Sell/Trade/Free has a list like that – somehow I feel a little better trading with someone that’s in a “group” with me – even though it’s an internet group and I’ve never me them. You may want to see if you have one @ The Mommies Network – I think. I’ve also seen GCs for sale for a discount on craigslist, but I haven’t been that brave.

Alecia @ Savings & Stewardship January 13, 2011 at 2:14 pm

We have used Plastic Jungle and love them!! They’re really easy and I’ve yet to have any issues!!

This is my referral link to their site (or visit them at wwwplasticjungle.com)
http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-3719731-10736268

Staci January 13, 2011 at 2:19 pm

I’ve read about Plastic Jungle in more than one magazine article, so I think they are probably the most widely known place.

Tracy January 13, 2011 at 3:10 pm

I’ve been referred to plasticjungle.com quite a few times.

Erin January 13, 2011 at 3:35 pm

Thanks so much for all the great tips– this is extremely helpful!
–Erin, the ask-er :)

BethC January 13, 2011 at 4:28 pm

Here is a helpful site that lists gift card offers from multiple vendors:
http://www.giftcardgranny.com/

Kristen January 13, 2011 at 4:40 pm

I’ve traded in 3 gift cards for cash with PlasticJungle.com. They give you a quote, based on the amount you want to trade in. You can decide right then if you want to sell it or keep it. It was the highest cash amount that was offered between 3 different sites I was checking. It also gave you the option to be paid through paypal. It was automatically transferred into my paypal account. Then it was in my checking account within 2 business days. I’m definitely a fan of them, if you can’t tell =)

heather January 13, 2011 at 5:51 pm

i haven’t used any sites myself, but there’s an interesting article that has a comparison of what different sites would offer for certain cards:
http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/deals/a-new-gold-mine-in-gift-cards-1294334596848/

Suzanne Duvall January 13, 2011 at 5:59 pm

The ladies on The View endorsed cardwoo.com. I have not tried it but my understanding is that it is an honorable site.

Jacqui_G January 13, 2011 at 6:07 pm

Do any of them take low balance gift cards? I was given 2 $5 gift cards and I doubt I’ll ever use them. Plastic Jungle says the minimum on a gift card must be $25.

Laura January 13, 2011 at 10:12 pm

Just used http://www.cardpool.com and it was a huge success. I’ve had this e-card for a year, exactly, and have wanted to use it, but just never could find the value at that store. Sooo, traded, lost some of the value, but still came out ahead. If I’d had the actual ‘card’ it would have come out better, however, I’m still pleased.

Amber H January 14, 2011 at 2:14 am

I bought a GC for the first time off of Plasticjungle.com this Christmas & I was really happy with them. Very quick shipping, very professional, I felt safe using them. And it seems quite a few readers have mentioned them. I would recommend for sure.

Melinda January 14, 2011 at 11:08 pm

I’ve used plasticjungle.com to buy about half-a-dozen gift cards. As far as I know, every order and every gift card was fine without any problems or concerns. There is no shipping charge to have the cards mailed to you. I buy the gift cards for myself. The way I see it, if I’m going to buy things at Target and Walmart and Banana Republic anyway, why not buy a gift card at a discounted price and save a few more dollars?

I have not ever sold any gift cards online, so I can’t speak to that part.

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